Ottawa Senators forward Colin White skated without a non-contact jersey for the first time this season on Monday, signalling he could be ready to take the roster spot of Bobby Ryan.

White broke his left wrist in the team's first preseason game in September and returned to practice in a blue jersey last week. The 20-year-old appeared in two games during the regular season for the Senators and one playoff game in 2016-17.

The Senators are set to have an open roster spot with Ryan headed to injured reserve with a broken finger sustained Saturday night. Head coach Guy Boucher said he expects Ryan to miss a month, and TSN's Brent Wallace suggests White could join the lineup in his place. 

White skated on the team's fourth line Monday, with Chris DiDomenico and Logan Brown. Wallace notes, however, Senators general manager Pierre Dorion told TSN 1200 White needs conditioning before his return, which is not imminent.

White was selected 21st overall in the 2015 NHL Draft by the Senators and posted 16 goals and 33 points in 35 games with Boston College last season.

Sens practice lines Monday:

Burrows - Brassard - Stone
Thompson - Turris - Dzingel
Hoffman - Pageau - Pyatt
DiDomenico - Brown - White